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+--- Thread: B.A.S.S. imposes One-Lure Rule (/thread-5517.html)
B.A.S.S. imposes One-Lure Rule - Smiley - 01-19-2012
B.A.S.S. imposes One-Lure Rule for the Bassmaster Classic and Elite Series
New rule affects The Alabama Rig
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S., upon the recommendation of its Bassmaster Elite Series Rules Committee, has amended its tournament rules to limit anglers competing in the Bassmaster Classic and Bassmaster Elite Series to the use of a single lure during practice and competition.
The rule change, which does not apply to Bassmaster Open, B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, College B.A.S.S. and other events, clarifies the intent of long-standing rules permitting only one rod, one reel and one cast at a time. No longer permitted are double soft jerkbait rigs, drop shot rigs with jigs used as weights, double topwater setups and other multi-lure rigs, such as “umbrella rigs.”
The change becomes effective Feb. 1 and includes the upcoming Bassmaster Classic at Shreveport-Bossier City, La., Feb. 24-26.
Elite Series Rules Committee members, comprised of 2012 Bassmaster Elite Series qualifiers, seemed most concerned about new multi-lure rigs such as The Alabama Rig, which Bassmaster Elite Series pro Paul Elias used to win an event on Lake Guntersville in October. In the weeks since, tens of thousands of the multi-lure devices have been sold, and they have proved extremely effective in both recreational and competitive fishing.
The Alabama Rig and similar setups from other manufacturers consist of a weighted head with five wire leaders trailing behind. Soft plastic swimbaits and similar lures are attached to the leaders, imitating a school of baitfish.
Rules Committee members believe the rig eliminates some of the skill that should be required in tournament competition at the highest level. “It doesn’t matter how you work it,” said one of the anglers. “The fish can’t help themselves.”
“The Alabama Rig has become enormously popular in recent months, and it has definitely had an impact on the tournaments in which it has been used,” noted Trip Weldon, B.A.S.S. tournament director. “Personally, I have enjoyed catching bass on umbrella rigs and found them to be very effective in some situations. I have witnessed first-hand the excitement this technique has generated in our sport.
“However, the Elite Series Rules Committee members unanimously asked to be held to a higher standard,” he added. “We have decided to honor their recommendation.”
The rule change follows a precedent of imposing more stringent restrictions in Elite Series and Classic competition than in other B.A.S.S. events. For example, landing nets are prohibited in the Elites and the Classic but not in other circuits. Additional rules specific to the Elites include off-limits periods, no-information restrictions and new limits on boats that can be used in competition.
B.A.S.S. officials emphasized that the decision should not be construed as disapproval of multi-lure rigs.
“We are as excited as the rest of the country about the new multi-lure rigs,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “We will continue to cover new ways to utilize these tools in Bassmaster Magazine and on Bassmaster.com. Our Classic and Elite tournaments simply have a higher standard for the sake of competition. The rest of us will enjoy learning how to catch more fish with these tools.”
A Rules Committee member added, “I don’t have a problem with the use of umbrella rigs or multi-lure rigs to catch bass. If you are out fun fishing, there may be nothing more fun to use. However, our events represent the highest level of professionalism in our sport and I think as participants of these events, we should be held to a higher standard, as well. I like the idea of one rod, one reel, one lure.”
Re: B.A.S.S. imposes One-Lure Rule - Hawkeye - 01-19-2012
Smiley Wrote:B.A.S.S. imposes One-Lure Rule for the Bassmaster Classic and Elite Series
New rule affects The Alabama Rig
However, our events represent the highest level of professionalism in our sport and I think as participants of these events, we should be held to a higher standard, as well. I like the idea of one rod, one reel, one lure.”
I tend to agree, maybee taking it a bit tooo far in that you / they cant use a jig for the dropshot.
But I like the comment" The Bass cant help themselves" To true when they see a "pantry" passing by lol :blue-badgrin:
- Valrath - 01-19-2012
About time they banned the alabama rig
- August - 01-19-2012
I like it...we are not a bunch of carp anglers. No offence intended.
Were does SA rules stand on these matters?
- BassBaas - 01-19-2012
Totally agree with this decision.
I read an article about a guy catching 5 small-mouths weighing 19 pounds on one cast. Not exactly what I would call sporting!!
- Bakerboy - 01-26-2012
You still have to catch the fish with it. I went and bought one of these A Rigs just to see what all the hype is all about and i tried it this week and not a bite!!! It is really hard to throw ( heavy) and gets snagged up, not easy!! I caught plenty on horny toad and flukes but none on the A rig.... mmmm all you guys who say bann it, have you actually thrown it??
I can say this after actually testing one that it is not as fantastic as they make out, banning it 'cos of one tournament it was a winner is a bit harsh for the designer who i believe is a struggling lure manufacturer!!
What about the advancements on side imaging and underwater cameras and electronics that make catching fish that much easier if there were something to bann it should be that but they sponsor all the tournements and main people thats why they not banned but this poor chap who just made a conversion to a stripped bassfishing lure who sponsors no one gets screwed!!!